Laser-Structured Glass Façade Shading for Sunlight Direction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sun protection devices for facade glass either have high installation complexity and material costs when external, or lack the ability to direct light into buildings based on the sun's position when directly connected.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a glass substrate with a colored layer that uses laser radiation to create periodic structures, allowing sunlight to penetrate while maintaining shading properties, by adjusting the angle of incidence of the laser radiation to form transparent areas and absorb/reflected structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If external sun protection devices (perforated metal sheets) are used, then light-directing capabilities and shading effectiveness are improved, but installation complexity and material costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the sun protection layer directly with the glass substrate, eliminating the need for separate external mounting structures. The colored layer is deposited directly onto the glass surface and bonded through laser-induced sintering, creating an integrated component that reduces installation complexity while maintaining light-directing capabilities through periodic structures
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates periodic structures (porous patterns) in the colored layer through selective laser removal. These porous structures allow light to pass through at specific angles while maintaining shading effectiveness, replicating the light-directing function of perforated metal sheets but integrated into the glass surface
2Ease of manufacture
If sun protection layers are deposited directly on facade glass, then production costs decrease, but light-directing capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by creating periodic structures with varying properties in different regions of the colored layer. The laser selectively removes material in specific patterns, creating areas with different optical properties (transparent vs. colored) that work together to achieve both cost-effectiveness and light-directing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical and chemical parameters of the colored layer through laser irradiation. The laser energy transforms the colored material into a sintered state with different optical properties, enabling the layer to exhibit both shading and light-directing properties while maintaining direct connection to the glass substrate
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional laser removal of colored layer is used (perpendicular incidence), then complete removal is achieved, but control over light transmission properties is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces asymmetry by irradiating the colored layer at oblique angles (10°-40°) rather than perpendicular to the surface. This asymmetric irradiation geometry creates anisotropic structures in the colored layer that provide directional light transmission control, allowing the material to exhibit different optical properties based on the angle of incident light
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method combines the cost-effectiveness of directly connected sun protection layers with the light-directing capabilities of external devices, enabling adjustable shading and light guidance based on the sun's position, reducing production costs and enhancing energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
local removal of the colored layer by introducing energy using laser radiation
Implementation Method 2
The angle of incidence is in the range from 10° to 40°, preferably from 15° to 35°, particularly preferably 30°, to the substrate
Implementation Method 3
sun protection layers... for reflecting solar radiation
Implementation Method 4
sun protection devices... for reflecting solar radiation
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for producing a façade element made of glass for shielding light and to a light-shielding façade element. According to the invention, a color layer (2) is first deposited on a substrate (3) made of glass and then periodically structured by applying energy using laser radiation (1). A boundary surface between the transparent regions produced by the application of energy and the nontransparent regions is angled by 0° to 45° relative to the substrate (3). By adjusting the angle of the boundary surface in a controlled manner, the shading properties of the façade element according to the invention can be adapted individually to the latitude-dependent angle of incidence of solar radiation.